Saudi security court has issued 2,145 sentences

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The Saudi Justice Ministry says a special security court has issued 2,145 jail sentences for “supporting terrorism” since it was formed four and a half years ago.

The Specialized Criminal Court often tries suspects accused of affiliation with al-Qaida’s local branch, which operates both in the kingdom and in Yemen.

But critics say it also tries human rights activists and other dissidents as well cases related to unrest among Saudi Arabia’s Shiite minority.

It was unclear if “supporting terrorism” referred to all cases tried by the court.

Spokesman Fahd bin Abdullah al-Bakran told reporters late Friday night that the Specialized Criminal Court has already ruled in 1,080 cases and is still looking into another 419 cases that involve 2,800 suspects.